Converting “Outdoor” Bunnies to “Indoor”

[MimzMum]

I have a situation I’d like to bounce off everyone.

I know of some bunnies being kept outdoors close to where I live.  It would be nicer to see them living indoors, especially when winter rolls around again in about three months.

Any ideas on how to encourage the ‘conversion’ of the caretakers?  I don’t want to overstep the ‘good neighbor’ boundary (indeed if they have access to internet, I’d like to invite them to join us here, and perhaps that is all that’s needed), but these folks are not getting the full benefit of having the love and joy that bunnies can bring to a household.

They are adorable, a mother and two babies (yep, we’re going to need altering soon) and they look just like my Mimzy (except with uppy ears). In fact, since they came from a breeder nearby, I have to wonder if these little darlings are related to my little darling?

What would YOU do?

[BinkyBunny]

I do come across this situation very often and I think approaching gradually is a good way. Do you know your neighbors very well or do you have access to chatting with them every so often? If so I would first bring up just the commonality that you both have rabbits and even talk about how similar they look to Mimzy and you can talk about your bunnies funny “indoor” antics. Then maybe the next time bring something about how they hang out with you somewhere indoors during certain times of the day etc. I have found that many people then will ask questions about how that is possible. Many people who have chosen the outdoor hutch housing just grew up this way and they also may have misconceptions about smell (which can be true for the unaltered group). I find that if I talk about the great indoor stuff, it can many times get them interested enough to ask questions, and that way the information is received from THEM asking, not from me just telling.

The thing is – if you ever do refer them to this website, they could see this thread, so they will know of our evil plan to convert them to house bunniy slaves (rubbing hands together)…”Bwahhahhaa!” No really, I think it would be great if they could join us here if they want to learn how to successfully make the transition from hutch to home.

[MimzMum]

Thanks BB! ^_^ lolz…Yes, first the hutches…then the living room…then…THE WORLD! MWAHAHA! *oops, let my ‘world domination by bunnies alter-ego’ slip out there…*

I was actually thinking of taking a few things down there from my recent BB.com boxes that I have extra of, to at least help the bunnies have a little more comfortable lodgings while we ‘put our plan in motion’…lolz. (Thank you, btw, for having such wonderful products to share with our fellow bunny slaves!)

[RabbitPam]

Another variation on the suggestion: especially if you pop over and bring some bunny stuff for your neighbors (nice!), then invite her to come over for a cup of coffee at your house. Say she hasn’t met your bunnies because they live inside, but they look exactly alike and she just has to see them, they might be cousins. Give her a tour of your set up. No pet owner with pets in common will resist talking about their pets, and she may naturally ask you questions. You can tell her about how much fun you have, she can see it doesn’t smell (clean the kittie’s litter boxes first), etc.

I have a coworker who has bunnies in her back yard, but frankly, we have gotten to know each other better and I fear we will not become friends. She has very strong opinions and lately puts down my ideas or is dismissive if I disagree with her. (I’m truly disappointed about this. Maybe it will improve with more time.) So I have steered very far from the bunny conversation as I think she will not be open to my advice.

[bunnytowne]

Awe RP that is sad.

With this other neighbor here tho she may be curiuos if you  mention litterboxes.  Yes inviting her over sounds like a good idea to introduce house bun in the flesh.

[jerseygirl]

I think that’s a good idea. Invite them over because you share a love for bunnies. It might open up a conversation about housing them indoors which they may not have even considered as BB said. Of course, you’d have to be very careful to not let on that that’s your agenda for inviting them over. If it’s not sucessful, at least you’ve offered hand of friendship to someone else with rabbits and that’s good in itself. Aren’t we always looking for more people to chat to about the buns? lol

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